Kids are often getting ill or hurt, and there is no cause for alarm. However, in some cases, it’s apparent that it’s time to call the doctor. But where do you draw the line? When is it ok to handle things yourself, and when is it time to consult a professional?
Sometimes a call to your pediatrician is what you need to ease your worries and know exactly what’s going on. Therefore here are some of the instances in which you should definitely contact your pediatrician.
Loss Of Consciousness
Kids are frequently falling and bumping their heads, which can lead to bumps and bruises. In most situations, there is no need for alarm; however, in some cases, things may be quite serious. Hitting your head hard enough can lead to a concussion or even cause a brain injury.
It’s essential that if your child is acting disoriented or has lost consciousness that you call a doctor immediately. They’ll be able to advise whether you should go to the emergency room or not.
High Fever
Fevers are especially important to pay attention to when children are infants. Pay close attention to their behavior to determine the severeness of their fever. If the child has a fever but is still acting upbeat and alert, then there may be no cause for alarm. However, if a child’s fever reaches over 100.4 degrees, it will require an evaluation from a doctor.
Try to pay attention to whether a child is acting out of the ordinary or is having issues breathing. This could be a sign of something very serious; far beyond a typical fever.
Breathing Problems
When kids get colds, they often have a wet cough and are congested. However, if your child is having severe issues breathing, and it seems to be difficult for them to breathe beyond just a cough, you should consider going to the hospital.
Labored breathing is an indication that your child’s lungs are not working at their full capacity. They may require medical attention.
Thick Eye Discharge
Although it’s common for children to have watery or red eyes when they’ve got a cold, in some cases, they may develop thick eye discharge which doesn’t go away.
In some cases, a child may develop so much puss in their eyes that their lids are glued shut with a dried yellow crust. This extreme eye discharge is an indication of an eye infection which should be treated immediately by a professional. Eye infections are highly contagious, so it’s critical that they are given medication as soon as possible.
Persistent Vomiting
Vomiting is common in many children when they’re ill and usually doesn’t require hospitalization. However, is they are vomiting persistently then it may cause severe dehydration. Dehydration can be incredibly harmful and fatal. Therefore it is essential to be treated by a doctor.
Originally posted on June 11, 2019 @ 1:05 pm
